Method of diagnosing for light treatment



Feb. 25, 1930. I M. w. WENTWORTH METHOD OF DIAGNOSING FOR LIGHT TREATMENT Filed Aug. 6, 1928 1| lll l l x I ling: 1| 5- INVENTOR Memo/27% Wkfi/WOIf/Z BY Q 7 ATTZSIEYS Patented Feb. 25, 193W UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE IEERTON W. WENTWOBTH, OI CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB TO EQUIPMENT COMPANY, 01 BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN METHOD DIAGNOSING FOB LIGHT TREATMENT In the administering of treatments b means of therapeutic lamps or artificial light, it is frequently difficult to determine the propor period of exposure to secure the best results and to avoid the undesired results aris ing from successive exposure.

It is the main object of this invention to provide a method of diagnosing for determining the proper period of exposuresfor a particular patient or subject.

A further object is to provide a method of this character which can be carried out with a very simple apparatus. 7

1 In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated an apparatus of the character employed by me and also certain steps of my method.

' Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus and the method of usingthe same.

Fig. 2 is'a fragmentary view of a shield or screen which may be satisfactorily used in the practice of my improved method.

4 Fig. 3 is-a perspective view of a cover or shutter for use in connection with the screen shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view representing a portion of the body of the pa 'tient after the diagnosing exposure and the development of the results thereof.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a patient resting upon a cot and 2 the lamp. 1 provide a sheet or screen 3 of suitable ma terial to exclude light rays, preferably a closely woven fabric with a coating of rubber or other material which will render the sheet opaque.

This screen has a series of openings as 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 therein which are of diiferent con figurations or distinctive conformations. This sheet or screen is arranged so as to protect the body of the patient from the light rays except as the surface may be exposed through these openings.

A second sheet or screen 9 preferably of the same material is provided and is of such dimensions as to eifectively cover the openings in the screen 3. With the sheet 3 arranged on the patient and all the openings exposed, the lamp is turned on. At the end of a predetermined period, for instance, one

y minute, one of the openings, as 4, is covered. At the end of'two minutes the opening 5=is covered; at the end of three minutes the opening 6 is covered; at the end of four Y minutes the opening 7 is covered, and at the end offive minutesthe opening Sis covered and the-lamp turned ofl.

At the expiration of considerable time, preferably several hours, the exposures are. examined, and from the evidence furnished thereby can be determined the proper length of exposure for the particular patient and the lamp used.

It will be understood, of course, that one patient may be benefited by a length of treatment or exposure which would be either insufficient or excessive for another, owing to the variation in textureand pigmentation of the skin of the patients.

' The diagnosing of the patient by this methgo od prior to the-administering of the treatments also eliminates the necessity for constant attention on the part of the operator, which is otherwise quite essential where powerful lamps are employed. Y

The apparatus 1 have illustrated is very simple and effective but obviously -may be considerably varied. The numerals indicating the period of exposure appearing on the screen 3 are not essential but are desirable as 3; a matter of convenience.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as nevi and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of diagnosing for therapeutic lamp treatments consisting of covering a portion of the body of the patient with a flexible light ray excluding material having a plurality of holes thereinof different configurations, exposing all of the openings to the rays ofthe lamp for a predetermined period and successively covering the holes at the end of like periods, and examining and comparing the exposed spots after the lapse of such period of time as will permit the development of the effect of the exposures.

2. The method of diagnosing for therapeutic lamp treatments consisting of covering a portion of the body of the patient with a'flexl le light ray excluding sheet having a 106 plurality of holes therein of difierent conguration, exposing all of the holes to the rays of the lamp for apre'determined riod I and successively covering the holes at em 6 of the like periods.

3. The method of diagnosing for therautic lamp treatments consisting of appl mg directly to a portion of the ody of t e patient a flexible ray excluding material hav ing'a plurality of holes therein of identifying m configurations, and permitting the rays to pass through said holes for dlfierent predeterminedperiods.

h Iniwitness whereof I have hereunto set my MERTON w. WENTWORTH. 

